Hundreds of sex workers took part in a rally here over a demand for improved security and social status.
The rally was organised on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the largest sex workers' organisation, 'Durbar', comprising 65000 women and trans-gender sex workers in West Bengal.
Sex workers marched through the streets of Kolkata holding placards and raising slogans over a demand for equal rights and social status.
Durbar's secretary Bharati Dey said: "The organisation has completed 18 years of its formation. We are rallying to press for security and social status for sex workers," she said.
With a majority of these sex workers living Sonagachi, Kolkata's red light area, they also demanded the legalization of the world's oldest profession.
Prostitution is still considered to be taboo in India. Often it is reported that the sex workers face humiliation, discrimination and are exploited by the widespread chauvinism in India.
Although prostitution is illegal in India, it is a thriving underground industry and voluntary groups estimated in 2007 that there are about 2 million women sex workers.
